COBB
Three finalists pushed for Cobb judgeship
Gov. Nathan Deal was recently given three recommendations to fill a vacancy on Cobb County State Court.
The state Judicial Nominating Commission submitted these candidates: Assistant Cobb Solicitor Jane Pyron Manning; lawyer Maziar Mazloom, who is also an associate judge on the Municipal Court of Marietta; and Senior Cobb Assistant District Attorney Henry R. Thompson. Deal’s pick will succeed Judge Robert Leonard II, whom the governor recently elevated to Cobb Superior Court. Bill Rankin
Acworth to build $240,000 playground
Acworth plans to add a $240,000 playground and pavilion at Cauble Park on Lake Acworth with an expected completion date in April.
The city’s Board of Aldermen has approved a bid from Playworx Playsets to build a nature-themed playground for ages 2 to 12 with rock, rope and tree climbing structures.
The project will be funded by 2011 SPLOST money.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Vendors, exhibitors needed for expo
Exhibitors and food vendors are needed for the West Cobb Community Expo in January.
This free event, including free food, giveaways and door prizes, will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Hillgrove High School Gym, 4165 Luther Ward Road, Powder Springs.
Proceeds will go to the West Cobb Business Association’s Educational Fund to help local schools.
Information: westcobbbusiness.com/expo/index.html.
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Acworth approves $240,000 playground
Acworth plans to add a $240,000 playground and pavilion at Cauble Park on Lake Acworth with an expected completion date in April.
The city’s Board of Aldermen has approved a bid from Playworx Playsets of Marietta to build a nature-themed playground for ages 2 to 12 with rock, ropes and tree climbing structures.
The project will be funded by 2011 SPLOST money.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta changes opening dates
The Marietta Square farmers market will not be open today or Jan. 5.
The farmers market has taken a break for the holidays.
The year-round market on Mill Street off of Marietta Square will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 12-Dec. 21, 2013.
Some 38 vendors sell local vegetables, baked goods, bread, eggs, cheese, meat and honey.
Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Marietta academy deadline Jan. 18
Marietta parents will have until Jan. 18 to apply to Marietta City Schools’ choice academies.
Each of the district’s elementary schools offer different magnet programs that cater to a child’s talents and needs, administrators said.
Administrators are also encouraging parents and their children to take tours of the schools.
For more information, visit http://www.marietta-city.org/curriculum/programs/choice.php.
Daarel Burnette II
GWINNETT
Duluth family displaced by fire
Two residents were displaced Thursday after a fire broke out in their house in the 4700 block of Fairway View Court in Duluth.
Firefighters arrived at the house shortly before 6 p.m. to find flames and smoke billowing from the two-story house.
A blaze in the fireplace apparently burned out of control, spreading to the attic and second floor.
The fire was brought under control by 6:30 p.m., however it caused significant damage to the home.
Andria Simmons
Peachtree Corners to host Open House
Peachtree Corners officials invite the public to an Open House featuring a City Hall tour, recognition of community leaders instrumental in the founding of the city and the unveiling of the city’s new logo and tagline.
The reception will be 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 6 at 147 Technology Parkway, Suite 200.
City Council and staff began using the new 8,000 square-foot suite of office and meeting space this month. Peachtree Corners was incorporated as a city on July 1. Information: www.cityofpeachtreecornersga.com. Kenneth Musisi
Extension service plant sale taking orders
The Gwinnett Cooperative Extension Service has announced March 21 as the date for its 2013 plant sale, featuring blueberries, raspberries, figs, apples, camellias, azaleas and other locally grown plants. Pre-paid orders are being accepted now through March 12 at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. For information about each plant and to pre-order, visit www.gwinnettcounty.com and look for the Extension Service under Community Services.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Duluth police seek bilingual volunteers
The Duluth Police Department is seeking bilingual residents to participate in its new program called CHIPs, Citizens Helping Interpret for Police.
Volunteers are needed to ride with police on patrol, helping interpret.
Volunteers, who must be at least 18 years old and pass a background check, will wear T-shirts while on patrol, identifying them as CHIPs.
MICHAEL ALPERT FOR THE AJC
Suwanee looking for your best photos
Residents of Suwanee are invited to submit photos capturing the spirit of the community for the 2013 Snap Suwanee exhibit.
Photographers may submit up to five high-resolution photos each. Deadline is Monday. Complete guidelines for submission available at www.suwanee.com.
Karen Huppertz for the AJC
Representatives to meet residents
Gwinnett residents are invited to meet with state Representatives to share their concerns and issues 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Community Center, Rhodes Jordan Park, Lawrenceville.
Residents will meet Rep. Valerie Clark (District 101) and Brett Harrell (District 106) and Representative-elect Joyce Chandler (District 105).
Kenneth Musisi
NORTHSIDE
County parking deck closes in Forsyth
Don’t try using the parking deck at East Main Street and Mason Street in downtown Cumming.
Forsyth County government permanently closed it at 6 p.m. Friday.
The deck will be demolished to allow for construction of a new county courthouse. Those with courthouse business should now use the lot at the southwest corner of Maple Street and Castleberry Road. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Public Safety Citizens Academy opens
The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety will offer a free Public Safety Citizens Academy Jan. 30 at the Roswell/Alpharetta Public Safety Training Center.
The series of 14 classes conducted once per week will introduce the public to aspects of police and fire services.
Written application, reference required. Applicants are subject to a background check.
Applications are at www.alpharetta.ga.us.
Information: Officer Terry Joyner at 678-297-6309, tjoyner@alpharetta.ga.us or Captain Joe Popadics at 678-297-6352, jpopadics@alpharetta.ga.us. Kenneth Musisi
UGA Gwinnett to host business seminar
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center at Gwinnett will present the Starting a Business seminar 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 18 at 2530 Sever Road, Lawrenceville.
The 3-hour class will cover topics on financial feasibility, market, failure factors, business planning, estimating start-up costs, financing alternatives, and much more.
Cost: $69. Information: www.gwinnettsbdc.org or 678-985-6820. Kenneth Musisi
New Year’s Day closings in Cherokee
Cherokee County government administrative offices will be closed Tuesday in observance of New Year’s Day. The county tax commissioner’s office will also be shuttered, as will city offices in Canton and Woodstock. Mark Woolsey
Greenway trail reopened in Forsyth
The Big Creek Greenway in Forsyth County reopened late Thursday. The nearly seven mile stretch between Bethelview Road and McFarland Parkway was closed earlier this week due to flooding. Park and recreation crews cleaned mud, debris and downed vegetation from the trail before reopening it. Mark Woolsey for the AJC
Roswell announces new wildlife habitats
The National Wildlife Federation has designated twelve Roswell City properties as official certified wildlife habitat sites: Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall, Smith Plantation, Hembree Park, Leita Thompson Park, Waller Park, Don White Park, Gerrard Landing, East Roswell Park, Roswell Area Park, Big Creek Park and Old Mill Park. Nearly 150,000 habitats, which must provide food, water, cover and places to raise young, have been certified since the Certified Wildlife Habitat program began in 1973.
Information: www.roswellgov.com. Mea Watkins
ATLANTA
Police release video in shooting investigation
Atlanta police released a video Thursday that they hope with help with a homicide investigation.
Officers found a 21-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound in the 3000 block of Panther Trail in southwest Atlanta last Thursday, but authorities do not believe he was shot there.
He was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he died.
In the video, Hill is carrying a yellow bag. Police are working to identify the two people with him.
Anyone with information on the case should call Atlanta police at 404-546-4235 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
A reward of up to $2,000 is being offered, and callers can remain anonymous. Angel K. Brooks
First Day 5K set for New Year’s Day
The First Day 5K is set for 1 p.m. New Year’s Day at Red Brick Brewing Company, 2323 DeFoor Hills Road. Site sign-in and registration (if slots remain) opens at 11:30 a.m. Participants will run to compete or for fun but walkers are welcome.
Registration is available at Phidippides-Ansley Mall or Phidippides-Sandy Springs through today and at West Stride (Northside Parkway at West Paces Ferry) on Sunday. Registration closes Sunday at tinyurl.com/cmkm34g.
Tickets: $40 for 5K; $45 with the brewery tour. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Information: www.Firstday5k.com.
Kenneth Musisi
Music/dance celebration today
Total Dance/Dancical Productions Inc., a nonprofit organization, presents Fusion: From Africa to Hip Hop, a Kwanzaa celebration at 8 p.m. today at The Balzer Theater at Herren’s, 84 Luckie St. NW.
The high energy experience of drumming and dance will feature Ajile and Total Dance Company, Ojinga & Common Ground Collective.
Individual tickets: $20. Information: 404-752-0980 or www.dancicalproductions.com.
Kenneth Musisi
DEKALB
Jury: Fulton ex-cop guilty of molestation
A DeKalb County jury on Thursday found former Fulton County police officer Michael Bernard Wilson guilty of two counts of child molestation, and he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, officials said.
Wilson, 32, was arrested in November 2010 after he was accused of molesting and raping a 12-year-old girl. The girl’s mother called DeKalb police, who arrested the Ellenwood resident during a traffic stop, police said. He was initially suspended without pay and eventually terminated from the Fulton County police. Marcus K. Garner
Train ride derails Lithonia man’s holiday
A Lithonia man took an unintended train ride and ended up spending Christmas in jail in Effingham County.
Randy Gaultney of Lithonia was charged with criminal trespass, intrusion upon railroad tracks and riding a train without a ticket, the Savannah Morning News reported.
Gaultney, 47, told authorities that he had bought groceries and beer at a store near his home on Christmas Eve, but a stopped train was blocking his path back. He allegedly tried to climb over the train, but it took off with him on it riding between the rail cars.
Just before midnight, Effingham County deputies arrested him. He was released from jail the day after Christmas. Staff
Suspect wounded during failed robbery
A suspect was shot and wounded late Friday morning during an attempted robbery at a DeKalb County bank.
The incident happened at the Capitol City Bank & Trust Company in the 5600 block of Memorial Drive.
According to DeKalb sheriff’s spokesman Adrion Bell, a plainclothes deputy who was inside the bank shot and wounded the suspect.
The suspect jumped out a window, but was apprehended and taken to a local hospital.
Meanwhile, Gwinnett County police are investigating the Friday morning robbery of a Wells Fargo branch on U.S. 29.
According to Gwinnett police, two masked men came into the bank with guns and demanded money.
Officers chased the suspects as they made their getaway, but they jumped out of their car and fled on foot into woods.
Police recovered the stolen money and the guns used in the robbery. Mike Morris
Open House at local flight school
American Flyers is hosting an Open House event Jan. 5 at the DeKalb Peachtree Airport, 1954 Airport Road, Chamblee.
The free event will kick off at noon with the complimentary lunch and continue with tours of the classrooms, flight line and flight simulators, and a presentation by a certified flight instructor.
Guests are encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes early. No reservation is required. Information: 678-281-0631 or tinyurl.com/3f9t8kf. Kenneth Musisi
NAACP hosts Jubilee Day Celebration
The NAACP DeKalb County Branch invites the public to its annual Jubilee Day Celebration 10:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day at Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur. Attorney Derrick Alexander Pope is the speaker. Information: 404-241-8006 or www.dekalbganaacp.org. Kenneth Musisi
SOUTHSIDE
Fayetteville police seek robbery suspect
Fayetteville police are asking for public help to identify a man who robbed the Rite Aid at 12:50 p.m. on Dec. 26 at 800 N. Glynn St.
The white male, age 45-50 wearing jeans and a black jacket, hat and glasses, indicated he had a gun and demanded the drug Adderall.
He fled with the substance in a small dark-colored pickup truck.
Call 770-461-4441 with tips.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
Train, commercial truck crash in Clayton
A train crashed into a box truck in Clayton County on Thursday afternoon.
The incident happened around 4:15 p.m. near Old Dixie Highway and Charles W. Grant Parkway, Officer Charlene Watson-Fraser told the AJC.
No one was injured, she said.
Police said the Cintas Uniform Supply truck driver told them that the vehicle stalled on the tracks and he jumped out when he saw the train coming, Channel 2 Action News reported. Staff
State park hosts New Year’s hike
Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge will host “First Day Hike,” a motivational New Year’s Day event at 1 p.m.
Participants will hike to the top of Panola Mountain and picture the accomplishments for 2013. A park ranger will join on the journey as hikers write out and then burn last year’s burdens.
The hike will finish around a campfire where hot chocolate and plans for the New Year will be shared. Register in advance. Cost: $7 plus $5 parking. Information: 770-389-7801. Kenneth Musisi
Peachtree City Dog Park free for holidays
The Peachtree City Dog Park will offer free admission through New Year’s Day. The nonprofit association that runs the park, located in the McIntosh Recreation Area, is waiving its membership and fee requirements to allow more local and out-of-town guests to enjoy fun with their dogs. Information at www.ptcdogpark.com.
Jill Howard Church for the AJC
‘Lights On’ for safety starts in Hapeville
Citizens on Patrol announced a new program for Hapeville neighborhoods.
“Lights On” is a program that encourages residents to keep their porch light through January to help with neighborhood safety.
This idea was developed by the members of the Citizens on Patrol to help keep homes more visible at night. Information: Hapeville Police Department, 404-768-7171. John Thompson for the AJC
Recycling center taking Christmas trees
The Henry County Recycling Center is accepting live trees to recycle into mulch that residents may load into their trucks to take home for use in their yards.
Both the tree recycling and the mulch are free to Henry County residents. The center is at 65 West Asbury Road, just off Highway 20 / 81 in McDonough.
Information: www.henrycounty-ga.org/recycling. Monroe Roark for the AJC
